Saturday, July 11, 2026

Slavery and the Wheel

Two notes to critics of the United States on why the founding of the United States was such a radical break, despite all flaws, with a few notes on the broader historical context.

“Small wheel turning by the fire and rod
Big wheel turning by the grace of God
Every time that wheel turn round
Bound to cover just a little more ground”
The Wheel

"AI:" Draining the Wellsprings

In last Wednesday's Richardson/Krugman discussion, extractive industries and "AI" were touched on briefly and I got to thinking about "AI." It is extractive, and what it extracts is culture. It seems that through the miracles of modern technology, the very rich have found a way to drain the wellsprings of culture.

The Flapping of Butterfly Wings: July 11

Various Bluesky remarks I wish to preserve

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Freedom 250: Chaos on the National Mall

So, there’s a thunderstorm alert, the revelers have been asked to take shelter. Some are refusing. Almost all the buildings are closed, since it’s a holiday. Some have taken shelter in the National Museum of African American History and Culture, prompting the remark that conservatives have finally been brought to visit there. The Chinese scholars are saying Heaven has stripped us of its Mandate. The Jews are talking about Jewish space lasers.

Boize moi!

Friday, July 3, 2026

To a Socialist, on the Infiltration of the National DSA

The socialist Nathan Newman has written a good explainer on how it is that the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have both produced one of the worst policy platforms and some of the best politicians of our time. The entire piece is worth reading.

Monday, June 29, 2026

Notes on Trump v Slaughter

Today the Roberts Court handed down a decision in Trump v Slaughter in which the Six Oathbreakers of the Roberts Court decided that regulatory agencies couldn’t possible be independent of the king, er, President unless they were the Federal Reserve and also made a shout-out to the traitors of the Confederacy. Paul Krugman remarked that this decision “makes it extremely difficult for the economy to function.” There’s a lot of legal and economic commentary by experts, and I am here adding a few notes of my own.

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Antifa, or Glonzo and the Anarchists

A short piece, intended to clear the air.

If 25% of the population believed that a creature called ‘Glonzo’ caused high power prices by chewing through transmission lines, any competent politician would be negligent in not trying to find a way to exploit this. – William B. Fuckley

Antifa shows up ready to rumble; the fascists show up ready to kill. – Raven Onthill